With the holidays just around the corner, many people will consider adding a new pet
to their home. According to recent statistics, more and more Americans are
adopting not only their first companion animal, but their second and even third.
The pervasiveness of multiple pet households indicates just how important pets
have become in our lives, and that we want our existing pets to have companions
of their own.

Having multiple pets increases everything: the joy, the cost, the hair, and the
cuddles. As a veterinarian, I am often asked for advice on how best to integrate
a new pet into a home that already has resident animals. In this post, I’ll be
focusing on dog-only and cat-only households.

In a Dog-Meet-Dog World

When seeking to add an additional dog to your family, be sure to choose a breed,
gender and personality that compliment your current canine. For example, it’s
unwise to match a tea cup poodle puppy with a large or giant breed dog,
especially an active one. Even if no harm is intended, the puppy could easily be
injured. Similarly, be conscientious if you already have an older dog with
arthritis, as a puppy could prove overwhelming. In general, opposite genders get
along better, as do spayed and neutered pets (procedures I heartily endorse). In
general, we would recommend the adoption of a dog younger than the resident dog;
if the ages are reversed, tension could result, leading to recurring fights over
who claims dominance. Of course, as I mentioned earlier, personality is an
important factor. You know your resident dog’s disposition and it’s essential to
take that into consideration when bringing a new dog into your home. More...

While underappreciated or even unrecognized as an organ, skin has amazing
properties. For starters, it’s the largest organ of the body. Both tough and
pliable, skin has many functions, including regulating body temperature, helping
to prevent dehydration and protecting against injury and disease. Without skin,
our pets couldn’t have hair, and everything that was on the inside would be
exposed, making snuggle sessions a little on the icky side!

Canine and feline skin shares many similarities with human skin, but there
are significant differences. They do have three layers of their skin, with the
same nerves and blood vessels running throughout. Even though the pigmented skin
in dogs contains melanin, dogs do not have the ability to tan like humans do.
Also, they have apocrine glands (similar to human sweat glands), however, dogs
do not sweat like we do. Instead, dogs have eccrine glands in their paws, which
secrete a watery substance like sweat, although this typically only occurs when
they are nervous and under stress. Now you know how it is that they can
sometimes leave little damp paw prints when exiting the veterinary office!

As the body’s first line of defense to environmental factors, the skin is
subjected to all sorts of insults and injuries. Critters of all stripes, from
fleas to ticks to parasites (like mange mites) bite and damage the skin.
Additionally, skin is under repeated assault by foreign objects, nibbling teeth,
scratching claws and constant licking, all of which can weaken and impair the
skin’s protective barrier. Skin can also be affected from the inside out by
infections, hormonal imbalances, allergies and immune disorders.

Young pets are particularly suspectible to skin problems because their skin
is more sensitive and their immune systems are not fully developed. Kittens, for
example, are prone to ringworm (fungal) infections and puppies are predisposed
to demodectic mange. If your puppy or kitten develops a rash, loses hair, or has
bumps or warts, consult with your veterinarian to determine if treatment is
necessary.

The bottom line is, healthy skin is a vital part of pet health, and its
condition is a reflection of a pet’s overall well-being. Vulnerable to attacks
on all sides, it’s very important that pet parents regularly monitor their pet’s
skin health. Skin normally does its job well as the body’s protector, but
sometimes even skin needs an extra boost. In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah
reviews some common causes of skin and coat problems in dogs and cats, and
reveals some safe and natural home remedies that promote overall skin health.

When
one of Florida’s newest animal rescue organizations took in sixteen abused dogs
from out-of-state, they found themselves in dire and immediate need of supplies.
Fortunately, the Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation was ready and willing to
lend a helping hand.

Subjected to physical and mental abuse in a North Carolina product-testing
laboratory, the dogs came to Palm Beach County after an undercover investigation
publicized their plight. The laboratory closed, turning over all of the nearly
200 animals used in experiments to various East Coast humane agencies, including
Wellington’s In Dog We Trust (IDWT). Founded by Nicole Brown, IDWT is a
non-profit, no-kill animal shelter that opened just this summer on the 20-acre
property of what used to be the Folke Peterson Wildlife Center, a wildlife
sanctuary shuttered in 2009.

Once known only by the codes tattooed on their bodies, sixteen Beagles now
call IDWT their temporary home and are now christened with proper names. It may
be weeks before the dogs are made available for adoption, as they begin to
recover from their traumas, learn basic skills and become accustomed to human
companionship. Their caretakers estimate that most of the Beagles are only two
years old. More...

The cat’s bowl is full of nutritious Instinctive Choice. Your canine companion has had his daily Wellness Food Supplement. You know that you are forgetting something, but you just can’t seem to place it. Maybe it’s not something you’re forgetting but rather someone! As important of a role your pets play in your life, you are the main character in their lives! Without you who would they turn to?

By changing a few simple things in your daily routine, you could be around for more belly scratches and rub downs!

Get Active – Don’t just let Fido out by himself – join him. A recent survey found that more than 65% of Americans are overweight or obese. Since the health problems associated with excess weight include heart disease, diabetes and stroke, it's important to make weight loss and fitness a priority in your life. So lace up those sneakers and take your dog for a daily walk at the local park or around your block! The fresh air will invigorate you and the companionship of your dog will make this daily activity more enjoyable and seem less like exercise. Not only will this help keep your weight under control, but it will also help make for a healthier heart.

Eat Healthy – You feed your pets the best, most nutritious foods, and you should be doing the same. Hate the word “diet”? Try the 80-20 factor. Eat healthy 80% of the time and indulge for the other 20%. This is a very simple way to improve your diet. The American Heart Association recommends eating foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. An easy way to ensure that you are getting health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids on a daily basis is to try Sealogix Omega-3 Fish Oil. Thanks in large part to its superior quality, purity and concentration of nutrients, Sealogix represents an exceptional value compared to other market brands.

Stop Smoking – Many of us grew up when smoking was cool. Well, it’s not cool anymore. The American Heart Association could not have put it any clearer. Smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death! Your bad habit does not only affect you - it affects everyone in your home – pets included! There are so many cessation programs available these days that quitting may be easier than you think. Procrastination is one of the biggest hurdles, so make the decision to stop smoking today and consult your health care provider for the program that’s right for you.

Let your pets continue to enjoy the life that you have worked so hard to give them. You need to stay healthy, too!